The spectacular trio of designs have been made using some of the rarest jewels sourced from around the world
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS HIGH JEWELLERYAnuschka Blommers
Each year, Van Cleef & Arpels unveils two extraordinary high jewellery collections, one revolving around a fairytale narrative, the other placing its focus on the house’s exquisite gemstones.
For 2020, the French jeweller’s gem-orientated collection, titled Homage to High Jewellery on Place Vendôme, spotlights archival designs worn by its most glamorous clients, with the big three gemstones – diamonds, emeralds and rubies – taking centre stage.
THE VAN CLEEF & ARPELS EARRINGS THAT COMPLEMENT THE MERVEILLES D’ÉMERAUDES NECKLACE
First, the Merveille d’émeraudes necklace, inspired by a 1929 collaret belonging to Princess Fawzia of Egypt. The original design, which features 10 pear-shape emerald pendants from a geometric mount set entirely with diamonds, was added to the Van Cleef & Arpels collection in 2014. In an ode to this prized necklace, this new piece is cut with five Columbian emerald droplets that total 70.40 carats and come adorned with diamond-encrusted ribbons.
THE RUBIS EN SCÈNE BRACELET
Van Cleef’s new Rubis en scène bracelet, meanwhile, boasts a head-turning display of richly-hued rubies and diamonds in homage to the Jarretière bracelet famously worn by Hollywood legend Marlene Dietrich to the Oscars in 1951 and, in Alfred Hitchcock’s murder mystery Stage Fright. Beautifully sculpted into two half-moons, the Rubis en scène bracelet is set with 72 cushion-cut Burmese rubies that add up to 84.74 carats. While, a base layer of diamonds add an extra touch of decadence to this historic design.
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS HIGH JEWELLERYAnuschka Blommers
Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis, fashion’s First Lady and one of Van Cleef & Arpels’ most devoted clients, was the inspiration behind the final piece, the Tendresse étincelante earrings, which echo a pair given to her in 1968 as a wedding gift by Aristotle Onassis. These original diamond-set floral earrings are reborn in white gold with detachable droplet-shape diamond pendants, each Type IIA, D colour and flawless and weigh just over 10 carats.
A dazzling trio of designs, Homage to High Jewellery on Place Vendôme is an exceptional ode to the Maison’s rich history that captivates with the age-old appeal of some of Van Cleef & Arpels’ most iconic creations.
THE MERVEILLE D’ÉMERAUDES NECKLACE
